Supply Chain Management

What is the programme about?
This one-year graduate diploma programme has been designed for graduates of business and nonbusiness disciplines in order to equip them with the necessary knowledge and competencies in Supply Chain Management and business. Supply Chain Management is concerned with the management of the flow of goods and information through the value chain, from materials acquisition to final consumption.

What will I be able to do when I finish this programme?
Graduates of this programme will find employment opportunities in all manufacturing sectors including: electronics; pharmaceuticals and food processing - as buyers and material planners. Many opportunities also exist in logistics and distribution. This work involves using sophisticated computerised planning tools such as MRP/ERP, interacting and negotiating with external suppliers and internal customers and contributing to project management as members of cross-functional teams.

Entry requirements

Applicants require an NFQ Level 8 Award or equivalent, for entry to this programme. Other applicants will be considered on an individual basis in accordance with the Institute policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The department reserves the right to require applicants to attend for interview to determine their suitability for the programme.

ELIGIBILITY
• Jobseekers
• Returners
• Those in employment

Duration

1 Year - Part-time (2 nights per week 7.00-10.00pm with some Saturdays throughout the year)

Careers or further progression

What follow-on study opportunities are available?
This qualification will allow the participant to apply for the MBA or MB, depending on his/her business experience, and continue to develop and extend his/her skills base and knowledge at NFQ Level 9.

Subjects taught

What subjects will I study?
Subjects
Purchasing and Supplier Management
Strategic Management
Supply Chain Planning and Control
Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Strategic Procurement
Work Based Research Project

Comment

What is Springboard+?
Springboard+ is a government initiative offering Higher Education courses to eligible individuals - for FREE - at Certificate, Degree, Higher Diploma and Masters Levels which lead to qualifications in areas where there are employment opportunities in the economy.

Springboard provides free upskilling in higher education in areas of identified skills need. The initiative's primary target group has been unemployed people with a previous history of employment. In 2014, Springboard incorporated ICT Skills Conversion courses (i.e. Springboard+), some of which are open to applicants regardless of their employment status.

Who is Eligible? All courses are open to eligible applicants irrespective of their employment status.

There are three categories of applicant:
1. Those in receipt of an eligible Department of Employment Affairs & Social Protection (DEASP) payment and the previously self-employed;

2. Returners seeking to re-enter the workforce;

3. People in employment seeking to reskill or upskill.

People participating in the Community Employment Scheme; the Rural Social Scheme; Tús; JobBridge or in receipt of the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance or the Short Term Enterprise Allowance may apply for Springboard and, with the approval of a Department of Social Protection Case Officer, take up a Springboard course.

To participate in a NFQ Level 9 (Post Graduate) course, a period of at least one-year must have elapsed since completing a full time undergraduate degree course leading to a major award at Level 8 on the NFQ.

Proof of Eligibility
Applicants will also be required to provide evidence that they meet the eligibility criteria for the Springboard Initiative.

• Those in receipt of a qualifying Department of Social Protection will be required to provide evidence of this payment.

• Returners will be required to provide a letter/statement signed by a Commissioner for Oaths confirming their status as a homemaker.

• Those in employment will be required to provide a copy of their most recent P60 or a letter from their current employer to confirm their employment.

Application date

To make an application you will need to complete a short registration process and then fill out an online application form. It is important that you fill out the online application form as fully and completely as you can in order to make a valid application and in order to best make your case for a place.

What happens after that? Following the closing date Institute of Technology Carlow will process the applications. Applicants may be shortlisted on the basis of the evidence in the application and any further supporting documents supplied. It is therefore important that you complete the online application form accurately and fully and supply scanned copies of supporting documentation as below.

Shortlisted candidates may be called for a brief interview. Successful candidates will get an offer of a place by e-mail and courses will begin in September. Further detailed information will be supplied during the application/offer process.

Supporting Documentation
Entry requirements for courses are set out in the course description on www.springboardcourses.ie - these entry requirements will require you to supply evidence of your previous education and qualifications. It is important that you support your application with electronic/scanned copies of supporting documents  where required - such as:

• An up-to-date CV
• Scanned copies of all of your official educational qualification parchments
• Scanned copies of all of your official educational transcripts clearing showing the results you achieved in each subject/module.
• Scanned copies of all of your employment references

Course fee

For employed participants on courses at NFQ Level 7, 8 or 9, 90% of the course fee is paid by the HEA. Participants will be liable for the remaining 10% fee. Fees will be due once a place has been accepted. Level 6 courses are free to all eligible participants.